Nick Kyrgios returns serve over Olympics threat

Nick Kyrgios has hit back at the Australian Olympic Committee over its threat that he behave ahead of the Rio Games, or miss selection.

Speaking from Rome after demolishing 251st-ranked wildcard Salvatore Caruso 6-1, 6-2 at the Italian Open, Kyrgios appeared to call the AOC's bluff that he and fellow firebrand Bernard Tomic were 'on watch' ahead of the Olympics.

“I mean, if you don’t want to pick me or Bernard, you know, there are plenty of others you can pick to represent your country as well,” Kyrgios said.

“If you don’t want two of the best players in Australia to represent your country, so be it.”

Kyrgios was responding to comments from the AOC's chef de mission Kitty Chiller, who'd taken umbrage to the behaviour of Tomic in using the handle of his racquet to try to return serve on match point at the Madrid Open.

Tomic tries to return match point with handle of racquet

Chiller said Tomic’s conduct was “not behaviour that I would want any team member in a team that I’m responsible for to exhibit” and lumped Kyrgios into her assessment.